The second Dialogue workshop in Matara (12-08-2017)

The participants of this group drew up an image of an incident that occurred in 2016. This happened during the Eid-Ul-Alha festival of the Muslims. During this sacred period Muslims are supposed to sacrifice cattle as part of their rituals. It so happened during last year, slaughter of cattle had been prohibited in the area, however the Muslims for the sake of religious steadfastness were prepared to carry on with the sacrificing. The police intervened to take stop the process and take away the cattle to which the people present protested. This led to an unpleasant atmosphere with harsh words and a tense environment erupting. However due to certain individuals intervening the issue was resolved.

This incident only one particular participant could properly recall as it had happened in 1970.It involved the placing of a statue of Lord Buddha inside the local school which has a majority ofMuslims students. The community opposed this, thus giving rise to tensions between the Muslim and Sinhala communities. This resulted in one Muslim house which had no occupants being set on fire, although property was damaged no one was hurt. Tar was poured into the local wells which were used for drinking.

They spoke about an incident which occurred in 2008 after the O/L examinations in the local school. The conflict started after certain boys threw ink at girls when the exams finished. A few teachers punished the boys to which the respective parents retaliated by attacking the parents. This escalated to the extent in which the police had to intervene to resolve the conflict.

They spoke about an incident which occurred in 2008 after the O/L examinations in the local school. The conflict started after certain boys threw ink at girls when the exams finished. A few teachers punished the boys to which the respective parents retaliated by attacking the parents. This escalated to the extent in which the police had to intervene to resolve the conflict.